Governor Whitmer, DIFS Announce Support for Expanded Insurance Coverage of Mental Health Services
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration expressing support for newly proposed federal rules that will improve access to timely high-quality mental health and substance use disorder treatments.
"Every Michigander deserves access to quality affordable health care, which includes coverage for mental health and substance use disorders. These proposed rules from the Biden-Harris Administration will help more Michiganders get the care they need to get better and prioritize their overall well-being. We will keep working with our federal and state partners, including insurers and other stakeholders, to lower costs, expand coverage, and build a healthier, safer Michigan,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
"Mental health care is just as important as physical health care, and we will continue to do everything within our power to ensure that Michiganders can get coverage for the treatments they need to stay healthy,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox.
Here is the DIFS News Release.
Contact your legislator
Social Work Licensure Modernization Act — The Social Work Licensure Modernization Act (HBs 5184 & 5185) was recently introduced! The NASW-MI created an organization sign-on letter and asked if you could send your legislator a letter supporting the bill package. Here is some sample language that you can use in an email. And here is the letter itself. The hearing will be scheduled for Thursday, November 2nd, at 9 a.m. in the House Behavioral Health Subcommittee. You can also submit your own testimony.
Leave a comment.
The MDHHS has issued a proposed policy on revisions to Wraparound Services for Children and Adolescents (2331-BH) for public comment. You can share a comment via e-mail noted on the policy's transmittal sheet. Proposed Medicaid policies can be accessed here and on the MDHHS website.
In SUD News,
The state of Michigan is a leader in addressing opioid addiction — That’s what the MDHHS says as the agency continues to roll out a plan and launches an opioid settlements website to provide up-to-date information about how opioid settlement funds are being invested to support programs and resources that benefit Michiganders, local communities and stakeholders. Michigan has been a leader in distributing opioid funds and ensuring the care, health, and well-being of residents in need. Michigan remains committed to 100% transparency of state dollars received. Here’s more,
Michigan experienced one of the highest rates of overdoses in the country in 2017, but by 2021 had improved to a rate better than the national average.
Michigan has recorded 6,600 overdose reversals since the 2020 launch of Michigan’s Narcan Direct Portal, which provides this opioid overdose reversal medication at no charge to community groups.
Michigan began dispersing opioid settlement funds to local communities in January 2023, just one month after the first settlement dollars were received by the state.
MDHHS has authorized the Michigan Legislature to invest $62.4 million of the initial payments into opioid remediation efforts. These initiatives will support evidence-based programming to address and reduce the harm associated with the opioid crisis. Settlement funds will help address the misuse and abuse of opioids, as well as help treat and mitigate opioid use and related disorders.
“In Michigan, we are using the long-term opioid settlements funding to address the multi-generational impact of the opioid epidemic as well as the racial disparities that exist as part of the opioids crisis. The new opioid settlements website will provide important updates and transparent information to community members and advocates about these investments and make Michigan residents aware of available resources.” — Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive.
The opioid settlements website provides a variety of information, such as:
Overview and status of settlements.
Links to resources to support the implementation of opioid abatement strategies by local governments.
Descriptions of opioid abatement investment initiatives made by MDHHS, including:
The MDHHS FY23 Spend Plan, a program planning overview document, provides funded initiatives’ planned activities and anticipated outputs.
The FY23 Opioid Response Framework Report offers an overview of previous efforts and plans going forward.
Information on equity-specific investments and equity considerations for all investments.
Read more about the MDHHS in their news release.
Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications Extended Through End of 2024 — The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced an extension of current telemedicine flexibilities for controlled substances through Dec. 31, 2024. This second extension will allow patients and practitioners time to adapt to the final set of telemedicine regulations that the DEA and HHS will release in the fall of 2024. See the Federal Register for more insight.
U.S. Overdose Deaths Continue to Rise — New estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics project that more than 112,000 people died from a drug overdose in the 12-month period ending in May 2023, an increase of more than 2,700 from the previous year.
MAT for the Justice-involved Can Help Free People from Addiction (Blog) — Research has found that opioid overdose is the leading cause of death among people released from correctional institutions. During the first two weeks of their release, people released from prison are 129 times more likely than the general population to die of a drug overdose. Read the recent blog post from National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia to learn how the organization addresses this issue.
Biden-Harris Administration Awards $42.6 Million to Expand and Strengthen State and Local Community Prevention Providers — The Strategic Prevention Framework – Partnerships for Success grants focus on preventing substance use initiation and reducing its progression by supporting the development and delivery of state and community substance use prevention and mental health promotion strategies.
Overdose Deaths Increased Substantially Among People With No College Degree — More people without college degrees are dying from drug overdoses than those who went to college, highlighting the need to expand treatment access and subsidize the opioid reversal drug naloxone in lower-income communities in America, a recent study by the RAND Corporation shows.” Source National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
Here is what else I am reading
Detroit Takes Aim to Transform Drug Addiction — See the full story in the Michigan Chronicle.
Michigan unveils spending on $1.5B opioid settlement, amid secrecy fears — Read the story in Bridge Magazine by Robin Erb.
NAMI Michigan's Kevin Fischer was featured in Second Wave Media, "Michigan’s CMHs are the Front Door" by Joanne Bailey Boorsma. Find more stories through the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, The Mental Wellness Project.
Who is on the Mental Health Diversion Council?
The Governor recently appointed Steve Kempker, of Zeeland, is the Ottawa County Sherriff. He has also served as Captain, Administrative Lieutenant, and Operations and Services Lieutenant within the Law Enforcement Division. He graduated from Muskegon Community College, Kalamazoo Valley Police Academy, Michigan State University Accident Reconstruction, and the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Mr. Kempker is reappointed to represent county sheriffs for a term commencing October 26, 2023, and expiring January 30, 2027.
The Mental Health Diversion Council is an advisory body to the Governor within the Department of Health and Human Services charged to advise and assist in the implementation of a diversion action plan and provide recommendations for statutory, contractual, or procedural changes to improve diversion. This appointment is not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
Veterans Affairs
Michigan Lawmakers Propose Bill Package to Tackle Veteran Suicide Risk and Mental Health Issues
Michigan Rep. William Bruck, a U.S. Army veteran, is co-sponsoring a bill package (HB 5276, HB 5278, HB 5279; HB 5280, HB 5277) to address the elevated suicide risk among returning veterans. Despite federal screenings, issues like PTSD and substance abuse often go undetected. The proposed bills aim to establish a state office for mental health and suicide prevention within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This office will oversee new programs for veteran support, including mental health and substance abuse screenings, mentorship programs, and holistic treatment approaches. Bruck emphasizes the need for confidential, localized support for veterans.
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